Five-year buy-to-let rates return to record lows

06 March 2018

In April 2016, the buy-to-let (BTL) market faced a stamp duty rule change, whereby BTL purchases would incur an extra 3% surcharge on the stamp duty payable. As a result, many landlords who are looking to buy a property sought to do so before this tax change.

Those who took a two-year fixed rate deal back then will be thinking about remortgaging soon. In attempts to attract these borrowers, research from moneyfacts.co.uk shows that the average five-year fixed rate has fallen to 3.43% – a joint record-low, which was last seen in October 2017.

Charlotte Nelson, Finance Expert at moneyfacts.co.uk, said:

“Many borrowers rushed to make purchases in the first few months of 2016, to beat the stamp duty hike. In fact, March 2016 recorded a sharp increase in the purchase of buy-to-let homes*. Because of this, a substantial chunk of borrowers are likely to be remortgaging in the coming months.

“In anticipation of this, lenders have started to compete in the five-year fixed rate market to vie for these potential borrowers’ custom. This has seen the average five-year fixed rate fall to the joint lowest on moneyfacts.co.uk records.

“Five-year fixed rates are likely to be a popular choice among landlords, as the stress-test that is applied for two-year fixed rates does not apply to the five-year deals. This could well be one of the reasons why BTL lenders have focused competition within this market.

“The price war at the lowest end of the mortgage market shows no signs of abating yet, either. The sub-2% five-year fixed rate barrier has been breached for the first time on record, by The Mortgage Works.

“Despite all this good news for landlords, the market has significantly changed in two years and borrowers now have to work their way through a maze of extra regulation, as well as stricter lending requirements.

“Property still remains an attractive option for many, so it is more important than ever for landlords to seek financial advice to ensure they get the best possible option for them.”

True cost scenarios available on request.

*Source: UK Finance (previously BBA).